ALBANY—The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors recently approved more than $120 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. The board’s approval authorizes municipal access to low-cost financing and previously announced grants to get shovels in the ground for critical water and sewer infrastructure projects, including treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water.

The funding approved on May 23 includes significant investments from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program. The Village of Coxsackie in Greene County, Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority, Franklin Square Water District in Nassau County, and Village of Gowanda in Cattaraugus County will receive funding from both BIL and WIIA for projects that will safeguard drinking water and significantly improve water quality. BIL funding was also awarded to the Town of Yorkshire in Cattaraugus County.

Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman added, “Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York State continues to deploy funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law faster than any other state in the nation. The coupling of federal grants with state grants is making a difference between a community in dire need of new water infrastructure and that community constructing and completing new infrastructure. Communities are encouraged to apply for the latest round of state water grants before the June 14 deadline.”

The board’s approvals include financings through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and grants already announced pursuant to the WIIA program. BIL funding for water and sewer infrastructure is administered by EFC through the State Revolving Funds.

The funding included a host of Drinking Water projects in the Hudson Valley/New York City region, including:

Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority—$8,803,545 short-term market-rate financing, a $4,550,086 WIIA grant, and a $449,914 BIL grant for the installation of a new interconnection between the Greenfields Water District and the Hyde Park system to serve as an alternate water source due to the presence of PFOA, PFOS, and other contamination in the existing four wells in the Greenfield Water District.

City of Yonkers—$3,000,000 WIIA grant for the installation of approximately 2,600 linear feet of water main at Nepperhan Avenue.

Village of Mount Kisco—$3,000,000 WIIA grant for upgrades to the water treatment plant, replacement of water main, and rehabilitation and improvements to four wells.

Village of Greenwood Lake—$2,000,000 short-term market-rate financing and a $3,000,000 WIIA grant for the redevelopment of existing wells, development of a new spring source, and rehabilitation of the existing water treatment plant.

Albertson Water District, Nassau County—$4,428,409 WIIA grant for the installation of a Granular Activated Carbon  treatment system to remove PFOA and PFOS.

Franklin Square Water District, Nassau County – $3,000,000 WIIA grant and a $605,000 BIL grant for the installation of a GAC treatment system at Plant No. 1 and Well Nos. 1 and 2 for the removal of PFOS.

Village of Garden City, Nassau County—$5,100,000 WIIA grant for the installation of new equipment at the village’s Golf Club Plant for the treatment of emerging contaminants detected in Well Nos. 13 and 14.

The EFC Board also took action to help ensure continued, long-term affordability of existing projects. The board approved long-term, interest-free financings totaling $43 million for projects located in the Village of Ilion in Herkimer County, Village of Liberty in Sullivan County, Village of Lima in Livingston County, Town of Moreau in Saratoga County, City of Newburgh in Orange County, Town of Riverhead in Suffolk County, and Village of Silver Creek in Chautauqua County.

Short-term financing provides capital for design and construction of projects. Once project construction is completed, the short-term financing is typically refinanced to long-term financing for up to 30 years, saving municipalities significant interest expenses versus financing on their own. Based on current market conditions, these long-term financings are projected to save local ratepayers an estimated $53 million in interest payments over the life of the financings.

The EFC Board authorized a proposed $254.5-million bond sale to refund certain prior series of bonds. The expected debt service savings will be passed on to 40 recipients to lower their debt service costs on previously bond-financed projects. The transaction is expected to close in September.